Ntimama’s daughter leads Maasai MP, MCA’s from Jubilee to Isaac Rutto’s party

dennis kibet

February 28, 2017 2:38 PM

The late Ntimama before his death had openly declared his support for the Jubilee Party after a meeting at State House with President Uhuru Kenyatta and other Maasai leaders.

Narok West MP Patrick Ntutu (left) is welcomed to CCM party by leader Isaac Ruto (center) as Ms Lydia Ntimama looks on.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has received a major boost after receiving a host of high profile defectors from the Maasai Community to his Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) Party from Jubilee.

The late William ole Ntimama’s daughter Lydia Masikonte led MP Narok West MP Patrick ole Ntutu and eight other MCAs from the Maa Community to CCM.

Ntutu is vying for the Narok gubernatorial seat and declared he will be competing on a CCM ticket.

The MCAs who decamped are Stephen Kudate (Norasura), James Kiok (Ngareta), Francis Rono (Kapsasian), Joseph Barusei (Ilmotiok), Bob Maren (Ololulunga), Nenkai Karkar (Nominated, Jubilee ), Ms Mercy Keiwa (Nominated, KNC), Jackson Kapei (Nominated, Jubilee) and ODM Narok chairman Jackson Kamoe.

Party ideas

Masinkote who now wants to vie for the Woman’s Representative seat in Narok County said she settled on CCM as the party shared her ideas.

"My late father held my hands and took me to Jubilee Party. But they have proven that they already have their preferred candidate.

My manifesto is to ensure that the devolved system of governance is strengthened and we found that CCM is the only party fighting for the devolving of resources to the counties," she said.

Governor Ruto welcomed the defectors during a special rally in Narok in the presence of KANU Chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo, MPs Raymond Moi and Johana Ng’eno.

Common enemy

The defections are a major blow to Deputy President William Ruto and an attempt by his foes led by Gideon Moi and Isaac Rutto to neutralise his influence in the populous Rift Valley region.

Moi and Rutto have vowed they will unite against the DP claiming he had failed to act as a symbol of unity, pushing leaders in Rift Valley in different political directions ahead of the August General Election.

Th two have planned to have KANU and CCM parties field candidates in both South and North Rift in a bid to topple DP William Ruto in the region.

dennis kibet